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Dragon Mark (Marc y Ddraig) launches

November 8, 2019

Welsh Netball have announced the launch of a brand-new sports quality accreditation scheme.

Dragon Mark (Marc y Ddraig) aims to support netball clubs, their administrators and volunteers in providing the best possible experience for its members and participants, operating with best practice. By ensuring that accredited clubs operate to a set of consistent, accepted and adopted minimum operating standards, Welsh Netball can help clubs to grow and provide safe environments for participants.

Dragon Mark is made up of three criteria, or pillars, namely:

Safeguarding

Club Management

Workforce

Underpinning each of these pillars is a specific set of criteria to ensure that clubs are operating safely and effectively. Once all of the set criteria has been met, the club will be awarded the Dragon Mark by Welsh Netball. This ‘seal of approval’ from the Governing Body lasts for a duration for 2 years before it needs to be renewed.

Ben Williams, Welsh Netball’s Head of Community Development spoke about rationale behind introducing Dragon Mark. He said: “The launch of our Dragon Mark programme signifies Welsh Netball’s intent to establish a set of minimum operating standards across all netball clubs in Wales.

“The Dragon Mark programme will underpin how we work with and support our clubs to be the best they can be. A strong and sustainable club network is the backbone of community sport and we look forward to working with our clubs to help grow the game and inspire success across the entire country.”

Williams also spoke of the benefits that Dragon Mark accreditation will bring to Wales’ netball clubs.

He added: “The benefits of achieving the Dragon Mark are intended to support your club’s development by, for example, investing in your workforce through the £75 voucher which will help your club to develop new or support existing opportunities. Clubs will also be added to a list of accredited clubs which will demonstrate to community at large that your club has achieved the standard required to receive the Dragon Mark.

“This is just the start of the Dragon Mark programme and we look forward to providing clubs with the support and resources they require to thrive within our communities.”

Clubs that are interested in pursuing Dragon Mark accreditation can also contact their regional Netball Development Officer (NDO) for advice, information and guidance. You can find the details of your NDO here.